One-third of Australian drivers looking to buy EV: Nissan

Two in three Australians feel the move to electric vehicles is inevitable, with a third of consumers ready considering buying an EV.

Those are the headline figures from a Nissan-commissioned study of more than 500 people who intend to purchase a new car in the next three years. The results were released at the Nissan event to introduce the new Nissan Leaf to Australia, though the car won’t be on sale here until mid-2019.

The study – similar to those produced by Jaguar when that company unveiled its i-Pace EV two months ago – suggests almost two-thirds (62 per cent) of Australians are more open to an electric (or other alternative fuel) vehicle than they were five years ago, with half saying that electric vehicles are cool and trendy.

Australians are also willing to change how they use their vehicle in order to own an electric vehicle (for example, plugging the vehicle into an electric socket), while 65 per cent are more likely to consider an electric vehicle made by a well-known manufacturer.

Tony Bosworth writes for www.TheDriven.io and RenewEconomy.com.au. He has 35 years experience in journalism, and has been instrumental in launching and editing several automotive magazines including Which Car? magazine in the UK.

Tony Bosworth writes for www.TheDriven.io and RenewEconomy.com.au. He has 35 years experience in journalism, and has been instrumental in launching and editing several automotive magazines including Which Car? magazine in the UK.